EC acts tough on Sahu; books him under two more sections

Acting tough for his alleged hate speech, the Election Commission on Sunday decided to take stern measures against BJP candidate from Kandhamal Ashok Sahu by adding two more sections in the existing criminal cases filed against him.

In its directive to the district magistrate of Kandhamal, the EC asked him to add two more sections -- section 505 and section 295 under IPC which defines the place of worship and statement to create public mischief.

The district magistrate has already filed a criminal case against Sahu under section 125 of Representation of the People Act and 153 of IPC.

The decision to add two more sections was taken at a meeting by the EC after examination of the CD containing his speech today. The commission has also directed the DM to issue a notice to Sahu for violation of model code of conduct. He has been asked to reply by April 15.

The Kandhamal administration on Saturday filed a case against Ashok Sahu, under the sections of the IPC for promoting enmity between classes and for allegedly making a hate speech on April 5 at Raikia in the district.

According to the FIR filed at Raikia police station, Sahu had allegedly accused a minority community of killing VHP leader Laxmananda Saraswati.